Does Georgia have edge on Florida? Yes — Aaron Murray
Aaron Murray can quiet a lot of critics if he leads Georgia past Florida. (AP photo)
ATHENS – Have you heard? The Georgia quarterback can’t play in big games. He can’t beat great teams. He melts in big moments. He is 0-4 against top 10 teams, 2-8 against ranked teams. He lost to South Carolina. Twice. He’s no David Greene, no D.J. Shockley and he sure ain’t no Buck Belue.
This is how the story about Aaron Murray gets spun. Not that he has thrown 75 touchdown passes in 2½ years, or that he threw for over 400 yards the week after his father had cancer surgery, or that Georgia has won six games this season not in spite of its quarterback but because of him — because the six wins certainly can’t be attributed to special teams or the soft-as-nougat defense (paraphrasing Shawn Williams).
Here is the problem with “the book” on Murray. It’s short-sighted. It’s the cheap-and-easy pop that goes an inch deep instead of Butts-Mehre-wide. The 0-4 and 2-8 records technically are accurate. But that’s a program statement. Since 2008 – two seasons before Murray started a game — Georgia is 1-9 against top 10 teams and 6-14 against top 25s. Does Murray get blamed for that, too, or is that on coach Mark Richt and his staff?
We do this with quarterbacks. They’re the lightning rods. They’re the can’t-win-the-big-game guys until schleps like John Elway or Peyton Manning win Super Bowls, and then we move on to the next guy. We look at a guy like Murray leading four second-half touchdown drives in the loud, zoo-like surroundings at Missouri and think, “OK, that was impressive.” But then Missouri devolves into an 0-4 conference newbie and we think, “OK, that wasn’t a big deal.”
This week it’s Florida. Murray was asked the inevitable question of trying to win the big game. He responded appropriately: “I just ignore it. I’m not playing Florida myself.”
I imagine his psychology degree and post-graduate work has enabled him to remove the emotion from the process in matters like this.
On Florida again: “You can’t go in there stressed. I have to be positive in my thoughts and let her rip. Sometimes, maybe I try to be too perfect or too cautious, thinking about not throwing an interception. My goal this week is to trust my abilities, trust my preparation and just go out there and let it rip.”
Georgia has only one edge over Florida. It’s at quarterback and nowhere else.
Murray is better than Jeff Driskel. He has thrown for more yards (1,914 to 929) and more touchdowns (16 to 8). But Driskel doesn’t play on a team that has underachieved relative to its perceived talent level. He has benefited from the Gators having a great defense. The Gators physically beat two highly ranked teams, LSU and South Carolina, so nobody is questioning their quarterback’s leadership or resolve.
Murray is not the same kid who looked unnerved in Jacksonville two years ago. He was intercepted on the Dogs’ first play, committed two more turnovers in the second quarter that led to Florida touchdowns and threw third interception (fourth turnover) in overtime, enabling the Gators to win 34-31.
“He was just a young quarterback who made some freshman mistakes,” senior Marlon Brown said. “But he’s overcome that.”
Last season’s meeting was better but still not great. He completed only 15 of 39 and had an early interception, but he threw a pair of fourth-down touchdown passes and led the Bulldogs to a 24-20 win.
“People ask do you get a little nervous for Florida? I’m not nervous. Since that first year, once the game gets going I don’t worry about all the extra stuff any more.”
He has evolved as a leader, fortunately in a less combustible way than Shawn Williams (who might’ve been on target when he labeled his team’s defense “soft” but he effectively threw teammates under the bus when he mandated lineup changes).
Murray has taken a more cerebral approach in his leadership than Williams. His graduate work in industrial-organizational psychology led him to study the qualities of NFL quarterbacks like Tom Brady. For one project, he surveyed teammates and coaches on where they believed he fell short as a leader. Their feedback: Murray needed to be more vocal. So he has been this season, without cutting off anybody at the knees.
“In some instances I need to be more demanding and vocal,” he said. “I have to make sure guys are accountable.”
He was beat up physically and emotionally recently. Georgia had lost to South Carolina. His house was egged by lunatics. His father underwent surgery. He even got a speeding ticket driving back to Athens from Florida following the bye week. But he tried to stay upbeat publicly.
“Fake it ’til you make it, I guess,” he said. “Especially as the quarterback, I have to make sure I have a high energy level. Running around, screaming and yelling and having fun, making sure guys see that I’m ready to go.”
It’s opportunity week. Georgia can take control in the SEC East. Murray can put to rest criticism about big-game performances. Quarterbacks are defined by games like this, fair or unfair. Here’s Murray’s chance to rewrite “the book.”
By Jeff Schultz
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412 comments Add your comment
AntoineFord
October 24th, 2012
9:56 am
34-17 Gators and Richt right back on the hot seat.
Southern Comfort
October 24th, 2012
9:58 am
If Georgia wins, it wll be interesting to see if all of you usual haters man up humble on Sunday after the game. My money is on the fact that you won’t. I fully expect the usual excuses as to why it didn’t turn out like you predicted.
I am as conderned as anyone about Murray getting the “yips” as he seems to do in big games. However, that said, Georgia has a good chance to beat Florida as they are coming off of two back-to-back emotional games and could come out flat. I also think that it will take UGA pulling together as a team to win this game. But, that is why they play them, right?
BIGDAWGFAN
October 24th, 2012
9:59 am
hey antineford whats the winning powerball numbers so i can play
them being you can see the future
Tide Rising
October 24th, 2012
10:03 am
The comparison to driskel is not a good one since you left out driskels running abilities. The man has been lethal running the ball. Regardless I expect Florida is going to pound the dawgs. They r just too soft and the gators way too physical.
beanster
October 24th, 2012
10:03 am
@ Southen Comfort (you don’t really drink that stuff, do you?)
i have no faith in the UGA coaching staff. However, I would be more than happy to eat a huge piece of humble pie, or crow, or whatever this Sunday if UGA were to pull off a well coached, hard fought victory.
I think I can safely say that at least 75% of Richt detractors feel the same way. We all would love to be proven wrong. I hope that it happens. Unfortunately my brain won’t let me believe it will.
GTBob
October 24th, 2012
10:08 am
Murray is not the same kid who looked unnerved in Jacksonville two years ago.
Sorry Jeff but he pretty much is. Here are some of his recent big games:
SC: 11-31, 109 yards, no TD’s and an INT. Loss.
Mich St: 20-32, 288 yards, 2 TD’s, 2 INT’s (one terrible late INT) Loss.
LSU: 16-40, 163 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT’s Loss.
Florida: 15-34, 169 yards, 2 TD’s 1 INT.
That isn’t really a glowing resume in recent tough games. He is the classic case of a QB who pads his stats against average to bad teams and completely disappears against good teams. If you believe that Florida is a good team then you should be a little worried about how big of an egg he is going to lay this weekend.
Southern Comfort
October 24th, 2012
10:11 am
beanster – as I said, “That is why they play the games”.
Show a little faith. If you are an UGA fan, anyway. Plenty of time to armchair quarterback on Sunday. The game on Saturday will tell us a lot about the UGA program. But, until the game is played, I will withhold judgement.
BIGDAWGFAN
October 24th, 2012
10:14 am
AMEN
Smitty
October 24th, 2012
10:15 am
GTBOB….do they ever write an article about your team so you can get off our blog….
Hunkerdown
October 24th, 2012
10:17 am
Hey Jeff,
Aaron is a really good qb but he no showed as a freshamn against UF and UGA can’t seem to beat the big teams. What makes you think this game will be any different with all the problems the Dawgs seemingly have since being presean number 6?
Dawgdad (The Original)
October 24th, 2012
10:18 am
2,4,6,8.Sammy is a cheerleader, we need cheerleaders, however, the reality of the situation is different.
Murray is the best QB and we have probably the better offense. It ends there. Fla has better D, better ST, and the most important, a better Head Coach, who will have them better prepared and will make better game day decisions. Hope our offense and QB carry the day.
Ryder
October 24th, 2012
10:23 am
Didn’t Georgia have an edge at QB when they played South Carolina? Yeah, thought so…Murray will be lucky to throw one TD on Saturday.
The Antiricht
October 24th, 2012
10:25 am
I believe a man can fear GOD and be a championship caliber coach.
But the players see him as a candy has.
Coach needs to kick their has. Not kiss their has.
No more singing happy birthday to recruits. In today’s vernacular,
most would say ” that’s down right gay “. He may come play for
you but he won’t go to war for you. He don’t respect you that way.
Just because you get benched in your college days… Don’t grow
up to become a coach who won’t bench a player because it might
hurt his feelings. All these feel good and political correct methods
he has incorporated into the program aren’t working.
These are still adolescents he is dealing with. You gotta kick
that has to get their attention. They understand that. They will
respond to that. Pansyball ain’t working.
And another thing. We are only getting leftover recruits out of
Florida. Them boy’s grow up wanting to play for UF, FSU or
Miami. After them schools get their pick, we get the leftovers.
And for heavens sake, how is it that he is the only coach in
America that don’t see a need for offensive linemen first and
foremost. Camp out at their door and bring um a bucket of
chicken. Dayum !
gatorphil
October 24th, 2012
10:32 am
Jeff- You’re right that Murray should not shoulder all the blame for UGA’s 2-8 record against ranked teams, but you did ignore the fact that Murray hasn’t played very well in most of those. Meanwhile, to simply compare statistics between Murray and Driskel, you ignored the running aspect of their games. Murray is quick and can gain some yards with his legs, but Driskel is a very fast, dyanamic runner who already has a 70 yard TD to his credit. Also, Driskel’s arm strength and accuracy has been good as well. UF just doesn’t throw much and Driskel hasn’t had much of aa receving corps. Wide receivers is UGA’s only clear advantage. By the way, Driskel is 3-0 against teams currently ranked.
The Ghost of Wally Butts
October 24th, 2012
10:35 am
2 Reasons To Look on The Bright Side:
1. Murray won’t break into a Superman routine if he scores and we are still behind by 3 touchdowns; and,
2. When we lose, Murray won’t sit with a towel over his head for 1/2 hour, then tell reporters he’s preparing a suggestion box for them.
Florida will stomp us, but at least we have a mature adult for a QB.
mike quinn
October 24th, 2012
10:41 am
MURRAY IS GOOD AGAINST LESS THAN AVERGE TEAMS. BUT HE SURE ISN’T WHEN THE GOGS PLAY A GOOD TEAM. JUST LOOK AT THE TRACK RECORD.
Wet Willie...keep on smiling
October 24th, 2012
10:42 am
Will and staff will take away the slant patterns from Murray and that is his only strength. Murray has a record at this point in his career and it shows he doesn’t play well when it really counts but he can get lucky! UGA will need for UF to make some mistakes to win and that can happen. I like the Gators in a very close game by 3. This is a huge game in more ways than one for both Will and Mark. One of these two will be a real big loser.
@columbus…you sir are like most auburn folks and that is delusional. You have a documented record and it’s 1980!
Neutral
October 24th, 2012
10:46 am
Thomas Brown would have surrendered before landing at Normandy if he had been in that place and time. What a pessimist!!!!
Neutral
October 24th, 2012
10:51 am
FYI…….Thomas Brown has been on the GT blogs for the past 2 months with the same type of rambling schizophrenic blogs. He is just a lonely guy with nothing else to do so he acts like a disgruntled and concerned fan…..and spews venom on CPJ and CMR. He probably does this on the SC, Auburn and TN sites too!!!
Pitbull
October 24th, 2012
10:57 am
I remember when sports writers and fans back in the 1970’s said that Terry Bradshaw did not have the qualities to lead the Pittsburgh Steelers. Four Super Bowls later those sports writers were singing a different tune and those fan were nowhere to be found.
The point is that football is a team game. Quarterbacks receive too much credit when a team wins and too much blame when they lose. Failures to block, run the right routes, hold on to the football and missed assignments are what usually ruin an offensive effort. If everyone does their job effectively then the QB usually looks pretty good.
Aaron Murray is a gifted QB. The rest of the offense needs to step up and it starts with winning the battle in the trenches OL.
Now GATA.
1eyedJack
October 24th, 2012
11:00 am
Glad I don’t have to pay to read these opinions. Ya’ll have all the answers but ain’t coaching anything. Ya’ll have missed your calling. I guess you’re just kicking back and enjoying your lotto winnings.
Capt. Kangaroo
October 24th, 2012
11:19 am
I think that it will all come down to which team has the homefield advantage.
Phil's Fan in ATL
October 24th, 2012
11:24 am
As a transplant, this my first GA-FL game. Love the SEC, which clearly is the class of college football. Preseason, no one gave FL a chance in Hades this year. Everyone gave GA the credit. So far, GA has underachieved, and FL has overachieved. That’s unbiased sports reality. It’s also inarguable. Like the Braves needed to step up & win a post season game, GA needs to step up & win a game they absolutely have the talent to win. GA, and their fans, need to put, or shut up. Again, just a basic sports reality. Interestingly, neither team right now has much to brag about. Looking forward, can either team beat AL (who WILLl beat LSU)??? Another reality…beating AL is improbable.
C’mon GA, get it done.
Brian Posehn
October 24th, 2012
11:31 am
Sorry Jeff, you can no longer use my image as your photo on AJC.
Thanks,
Brian
GD
October 24th, 2012
11:36 am
Murray beat Florida, top 25 ranked GT, and top 25 ranked Auburn last season.
Kid’s a gamer.
Put in Timeout by Ken Suguira,Filtered by Mark Bradley, Banned by Bill King, Chip Towers & only slightly loved by Jeff Schultz.
October 24th, 2012
11:49 am
GD…………UGa was favored in those games too. has he EVER beat a top 25 team when he was the UnderdWag?
Cobb Dawg
October 24th, 2012
11:50 am
I don’t blame Murray, I don’t blame our RB’s or receivers, or our secondary. CFB games are won or lost in the trenches. And we simply don’t have good trenches. When Murray isn’t hurried, he usually throws a good ball. When our RB’s are given a good hole, they usually make good use of it. It all starts in the trenches. Great teams have great trenches.
GTBob
October 24th, 2012
11:54 am
The comparison to driskel is not a good one since you left out driskels running abilities.
This is a good point. I actually think a case can be made that Driskel is a better QB. He is a true sophomore who had already beaten some good teams. Murray can’t make that claim. He has over 300 yards rushing. Murray has -30 yards rushing. He has a much better TD to INT ratio and he has played against better teams than Murray has. He has far less weapons than Murray has which limits his numbers. Personally, if I had to choose between the two, im not sure I would take Murray.
DONNAN OF A NEW ERA
October 24th, 2012
12:01 pm
“UGA is playing Nationla Championship caliber ball.
UGA compares to 2010 Natl Champs Auburn in:
1- offense scoring per game
2- offense total yards per game
3- defensive scoring per game
4- 2nd half defensive scoring per game
5- 4th qrtr defensive scoring per game”
UGA is not a national championship caliber team.
DONNAN OF A NEW ERA
October 24th, 2012
12:02 pm
“Murray beat Florida, top 25 ranked GT, and top 25 ranked Auburn last season.”
What a load of crap.
DONNAN OF A NEW ERA
October 24th, 2012
12:03 pm
“It’s opportunity week. Georgia can take control in the SEC East. Murray can put to rest criticism about big-game performances. Quarterbacks are defined by games like this, fair or unfair. Here’s Murray’s chance to rewrite “the book.”
UGA will not beat UF. You can build up UGA all you like but UGA can not beat a top ranked team.
Ivan
October 24th, 2012
12:12 pm
“Starting Players with future NFL, edge, UGA”
Those players coached by folks who teach them there’s more important things than winning, and run draw plays on 3rd and 16, edge, Florida.
Errrrrr
October 24th, 2012
12:14 pm
Here’s the deal – if Georgia plays up to its potential, we win going away.
However, that is one HUGE IF.
dawgfacedboy
October 24th, 2012
12:18 pm
Jeff- it’s not just QBs we do that to. Bonds heard it, A-ROd heard it. The perceived “leaders” of a team will forever hear it. WHat’ the first thing people think after being told Dan Marino and Charles Barkley are in the HOF? NEver won a championship. Personally I have no emotional attachment to Stafford or Moreno because they acheived nothing while they were in Athens.
Murray threw for 400 yards against Kentucky, so did Cory Phillips, what’s your point? HOw many of his 75 tds came against the Buffalos and NMSt’s of the world?
In sports you prove your worth in the big games and pressure situations and Murray hasn’t delivered yet.
GatorBait 18-4
October 24th, 2012
12:20 pm
Enter your comments here
Ron
October 24th, 2012
12:21 pm
We need better coaches that 1) develop better football players, 2) know how to develop an offense that is disciplined and explosive, and 2) a defense that is disciplined and shuts down people.
GatorBait 18-4
October 24th, 2012
12:24 pm
GTBob
I enjoyed your posts, only difference is I would definiately Driskel over Murray
Bill the Dog
October 24th, 2012
12:53 pm
Fla’s secondary is overrated and untested—-Murray is the best Qb in the SEC and will light up fla’s DBs for big yards and points. With the bad fla offense, Ga will roll in this game—bet the house! Ga 33 Fla 19!
McDawg
October 24th, 2012
12:56 pm
as long as we are patient, i think we will be okay on offense but i bet we go deep early and often
alot of dropped balls in the first quarter of the USC game
Thomas Brown
October 24th, 2012
12:57 pm
19 points for Florida. Ok Bill. Uh, not.
Question
October 24th, 2012
12:58 pm
How wide is a buttsmehre?
Flat Tire On I-95 in Jacksonville
October 24th, 2012
1:00 pm
Bill you might want to lay off the kool-aid
Murray > Driskel
October 24th, 2012
1:02 pm
Driskel—less than 100 yards passing in his last 2 games! That will not get it done against the Dawgs,which will put up at least 27 points on the overrated fla defense. Murray had 427 yards against UK! Ga 30 fla 20!
GB's Hamburgers
October 24th, 2012
1:04 pm
Apparently you didn’t see Driskell play last week. He has risen to the occasion two big games in a row while Murray is still searching for him mojo. An analogy might be that Driskell has won the Kentucky Derby and the Belmont while Murray blows away slow horses in meaningless races. So if we push the koolaid away and ingest some facts, that’s probably enough to say who has the quarterback advantage. I do know they have the coaching advantage.
Big Crimson 75
October 24th, 2012
1:04 pm
GTbob
11:54
Personally, if I had to choose between the two, im not sure I would take Murray
———-
Ride that fence Bobby!!
Do what you do best, make a vague prediction you can easily worm out of either way the Game goes.
Big Crimson 75
October 24th, 2012
1:15 pm
Bill the Dog
12:53
Murray is the best Qb in the SEC
——–
No, he isn’t.
azdawg
October 24th, 2012
1:18 pm
“My goal this week is to trust my abilities, trust my preparation and just go out there and let it rip.” Lets hope it a “controlled” rip!!! cannot rely on GA’s D to stop FL’s O after one of Murray’s T/O’s. If he’s rushed and under pressure due to poor pass blocking (like in SC game) the fat lady is going to sing early. GA won last years game because it was able to run the ball and connect on 2 4th down TD’s. Just think what he could do if given time to throw the ball like he’s done this year. Cannot put all this pressure on Murray’s shoulders to win. His D, for one big game has got to show up!!!!! Don’t allow this game to come down to Its up to Murray to win it. THE D and special teams has got to help him. that and a lot of praying.
Thomas Brown
October 24th, 2012
1:18 pm
________________________________________________________________
“Murray beat Florida, top 25 ranked GT, and top 25 ranked Auburn last season.”
________________________________________________________________
Florida was 7-6. Everyone beat Florida. Florida did not beat a single team with a winning record. Their wins over a FBS (1-AA), a 1-11, a 3-9, a 5-7, a 5-7, a 6-7 and a 6-7. I mean wow man. Mark Richt beat Florida. It’s like his wins over Alabama when they were 4-8, another year when they were 7-6 and lost that same year to Louisiana Lafayette and a 3rd year they did not even make the Coaches’ Poll Top 25.
Auburn and Georgie tek : There were 27 teams who won 10-games 2011. There were 36 teams who won 9-games 2011. Neither Georgie tek nor Auburn won 10 or 9 games. There were 48 teams 2011 who won 8 games : That is Georgie tek and Auburn. Congratulations, Aaron Murray’s 2-best wins are over two of the Top 48 teams.
We are a Top 10 All-Time Football Program in Wins, All-Time. Beating # 48 doesn’t cut it as your best win. That’s what Aaron Murray has on the OTHER side of the ledger.
On this side of the ledger, Aaron Murray has LOST to 10 teams who made the Top 25 and to 2 more teams who did not make ANY top 25 poll.
But, if that is what you ran in here to brag about to us all about little Aaron Murray, I wouldn’t hang my hat on that, if I were you.
Florida sucked and had a 1st year coach who was rebuilding and now he hopes to make good on his promise last year to beat us. # 100 football team 2011 who made no top 25 poll obviously.
Georgie tek sucked and is now considering firing their coach.# 48 football team 2011 with horrible losses who made no top 25 poll at all, none.
Auburn should have fired their coach last season and now probably will. # 48 football team 2011 who made no top 25 poll at all, not any poll.
______________________________________________
AARON MURRAY BEAT THE # 48 TEAM IN FOOTBALL
______________________________________________
Tell me you’re not really a Georgia fan with that weak fanny argument that Aaron Murray beat 2 teams who are # 48 best teams, and that you really think that is great ?
Flat Tire On I-95 in Jacksonville
October 24th, 2012
1:22 pm
Im not going to be surprised if Driskel doesnt rush for at least 150 yds on our defense since they only know how to pillow fight tackle
BlacknRed
October 24th, 2012
1:31 pm
Nobody should have their house egged, but good points @Old Dog Class of 80.